16 May 2013
“The modest budget boost to Maori and Pacific trade training to address youth unemployment deserves to be boosted”, said Michael Barnett head of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.

First, the major announcement’s to expand Auckland’s housing supply and build an International convention centre put the construction sector on track to having certainly of work for some time to come. “We need to ensure there is a fully trained work force available.”

Second, with youth unemployment sitting at around 30% we have a potential crisis on our hands. “We need to be much smarter to provide courses in core skills as a step to encourage unemployed youth to get the confidence needed to participate in the expanding economy we are starting to happen.”

Mr Barnett said that by working with business organisations he believed there are solutions that can address the high youth unemployment over time. “It is not an issue that can be solved by the public sector working alone.”

He said a strategic approach now, ahead of waking up in 2 or 3 years’ time when more projects come on stream is far preferable to letting our youth unemployment issue fester.

“It would be unacceptable if we create an economic boom and allow youth unemployment to remain at a high level.” He concluded.